The Student Support Services in Letaba TVET college is to assist students and young people facing a variety of barriers to learning to achieve their educational and developmental potential by providing a range of strategies and specialized support at the individual, group, college, and area levels.

The Student Support Services advocates a holistic approach and a student-cantered approach that seeks to increase the chances of success and employability of students. The support includes assisting the student with making the best programme choice, access to finances. It focuses much on the 3 key areas which is Pre-entry support, Oncourse support and Exit support.

This is the stage where the students who wish to enrol in any programmes in Letaba TVET College thoroughly orientated to the college and the various study options available. The orientation program is well-structured and Student Support Services Officers and Lecturing personnel are on board to assist in the implementation of the program. The programme includes but not limited to the following:

• Career guidance, be it one on one or in groups.
• Selection and Placement (CAP TEST); the test informs and educates students on a variety of career options. At the same time, it gauges the student’s personal interest in the different careers on offer.
• The induction and orientation programmes to the new students
• The administration of registration/ enrolment
• Code of Conduct

The career guidance officers are available to provide the above-mentioned services and to ensure that all the needs of students are addressed until the students complete their studies.

All new students are being invited to attend orientation and induction, which assist to obtain campus information such as, but not limited to:

• Academic expectations from students and lecturing staff
• Academic related policies from DHET and College
• Services available from SSS office
• Commencements of classes (Timetable)
• The college and college management
• The who’s who at the campus.
• programmes offered.
• College rules, student code of conduct and other related student policies,
• Student Representative Council (SRC)
• Facilities and services available
• Various offices that will provide assistance during their academic stay.

• The NSFAS bursaries for financial needy students are available, where the family household income is below 500 000 thresh hold.
• Should a student choose not to apply for bursary, such student will be liable for full payment of his/her studies.
• It is always encouraged that students that they must attend their classes as travel and accommodation allowance to a beneficiary who fails to meet the minimum 80% class attendance requirement for a particular month in accordance with the DHET TVET Students Attendance and Punctuality Policy 2013 will not be disbursed.
• NSFAS cover tuition fees, personal care, living allowances, travel allowances and pay accommodations.
• The NSFAS Rules and Guidelines administration document is available at Student Support services Office and SRC office.

• Students who enrol in the college are recognized as responsible adults who are willing and ready to abide by the college set rules and regulations.
• The college strongly supports the constitutional rights of the students; however it also acknowledges their individual and collective responsibilities to maintain an orderly atmosphere of teaching and learning.
• The college is aware of how proud the students are about their campuses and would not want to see it damaged and the college is appreciative of that and urge the students to continue protecting such legacy.
• For security purposes, unauthorized visitors are discouraged. Continue to keep your eyes and ears open and report to security or any official staff member in the college any suspicious activity happening in your beautiful campus.

On-course support is to support students as they undertake their programme studies. It requires mainly academic support, access to personal tutors, life skills, language, maths and maths literacy support, advice on health, practical assistance, and opportunities for leadership (SRC), sport and cultural development, Counselling, & etc.

• The College has noticed a good trend of buddy groups of study mates in the campuses, with the support of campus staff members and it is really encouraged that students continue with such groups and encouraging those who have not joined to do so. Though there is no research that has been done but we have seen a general improvement in results across all the programmes.
• Extra lessons, Peer tutoring, Catchup classes and online support are provided

• The College assigned the personal Counselling for the students to the well-trained Counsellors that are based at our Campuses.
• The Counsellors are tasked with personal counselling and are mainly responsible for referring services related to health and welfare of the students including addressing issues that are particularly impacting upon vulnerable groups such as single-headed households, women and people living with HIV/AIDS, and many others.
• There are sporting activities that takes place throughout the year since the college believes that healthy body creates healthy minds.
• Preventing depression and helping to boost self -esteem and body image since people who take part in sports can also benefit socially, develop friendships with teammates, and feel part of a group. Children can learn positive mental skills including accountability, leadership, and dedication.

• This involves the provision of information and guidance on higher education and further training opportunities; the identification of opportunities for job placements; entrepreneurial skills development opportunities and the introduction.
• Student Support Services Officers also assist exiting/exited students about job requirements, preparation and/or updating CV, writing letters of application and preparing for the job interview, intending to study further and starting own business.

The Student Representative Council (SRC) is a statutory structure as provided for in the Higher Education Act. The SRC offers a variety of services to individual students and different student groupings and in offering these services the SRC exercises political, economic, and administrative authority in order to manage the activities of student life. As such, the SRC is the highest decision-making structure of student governance at Letaba TVET College.

In line with the definition of governance, the roles, and responsibilities of the SRC include:

1. Participating in institutional decision-making structures.
2. Advising and supporting the delivery of effective and efficient student support services.
3. Managing and administering student representation at different levels.
4. Advising on the development of academic programmes and student-learning experiences.
5. Participating in the development and implementation of institutional and national policies on higher education.

The SRC is elected annually by the students and consists of 9 members per Campus who either represent other student organisations or are independents. The duties, functions, privileges, and term of office are set out in the SRC Constitution and election by-laws approved by Council as institutional rules.

The SRC is a vital stakeholder within Letaba TVET College, since various decisions require consultation with the SRC. Letaba TVET college through these processes embraces the notion of co-operative governance.